For Immediate Release April 27, 2026
Contact: Tony Pals, tpals@aera.net (202) 238-3235
Statement from AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous on Dismissal of National Science Board Members
I am deeply dismayed by the Trump administration’s decision to dismiss all members of the National Science Board (NSB). This unprecedented action undermines the governance structure of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and weakens a critical institution responsible for safeguarding the integrity and direction of American science policy.
The NSB has long served as an essential partner to the NSF Director in advancing NSF’s statutory mission to promote the progress of science; advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and secure the national defense. Removing the entire board—alongside the absence of a permanent NSF Director—creates a national leadership vacuum at the very moment when strong, experienced guidance is most needed. As a scholarly association, we are deeply concerned about the implications for NSF’s ability to support the full breadth of scientific exploration and maintain a coherent national science agenda.
This action follows a series of troubling developments that collectively threaten the strength, independence, and impact of NSF, including the termination of grants that disproportionately affected education research and social and behavioral science studies, the consolidation of competitive grant programs, and proposals to eliminate the NSF Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences in the FY 2027 budget. Taken together, these steps signal a sustained effort to narrow the scope and impact of federally supported science in ways that are inconsistent with NSF’s mission and the nation’s long-term interests.
A strong, independent NSF is essential to American global leadership in science and innovation. It is also essential to ensuring that scientific progress is informed by the full range of expertise and perspectives required to address complex national challenges. Undermining NSF governance and capacity directly jeopardizes progress in STEM education, workforce development, and research that informs effective public policy and practice.
We urge Congress to act decisively in exercising its oversight authority to restore stability, protect NSF’s independence, and ensure that NSF continues to serve as a cornerstone of America’s scientific enterprise.
About AERA The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the largest national interdisciplinary research association devoted to the scientific study of education and learning. Founded in 1916, AERA advances knowledge about education, encourages scholarly inquiry related to education, and promotes the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. Find AERA on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.